Bateman: Make failure to report sex abuse a crime

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John Schoonejongen
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November 30, 2011 @ 3:13 pm
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Reacting to the sexual abuse allegations that have plagued sports programs at Syracuse and Penn State, a Republican state senator is calling for a law mandating that adults notify authorities to any cases of abuse.

Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman, R-Somerset, has introduced a bill that would require notification if there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse and would make failure to report sexual abuse a fourth-degree crime, punishable by a jail term of between three and five years and a fine of no more than $15,000.

“I hope that members of both parties, in both houses, support this timely legislation,” Bateman said in a prepared release.